The Dragons of modern times

Title

Language

English

Year

1941

Subject

Lizards.

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

Lizards are "cold-blooded" creatures, like all reptiles. Some lay from one to 20 eggs, but others produce living young. Their skin is normally covered with scales, and from time to time they shed the thin, horny outside coating.

Fulltext

MAR.CH, 1941 THE YOUNG CITIZEN 103 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE SECTION THE DRAGONS OF MODERN TIME;S IF YOU had in a cage a specimen of each of the 1,700 different kinds of lizards that have been found in the world, it would be hard. to believe that animals of such widely different ·shapes, sizes, colors, and habits could possibly belong oo the same ·big group of reptiles. You would see tiny creatures two or three inches long lying beside giants measuring seven or eight feet. Bright greens, blues, and reds would stand out · among dull grays~ browns, and blacks. Most of them would show four sturdy legs, with long toes, and even claws. But there would be some with only front legs, some with only back legs, and some with no legs at all. Tree -1 i z a r d s, gr o u n d-1 i z a r d s; under-ground lizards, and waterlizards w9uld ·be mingled together, some darting about with the speed ly degree of intelligence in captivity, learning simple tricks and answering to calls. · The writer once had a "pet" lizard which lived behind a picture hung above the piano. When any one played the piano, the lizard came out from his_ home and scampered about. He seemed to enjoy the music. While lizards are found in nearly all parts of the earth, except the polar regions, they reach their greatest numbers and · varieti·es in tr op ic a 1 lands. Lizards abound in the Philippines and neighboring islands~ There · are many varieties. Most liz. ards catch "" .... living prey, of ligl.tning, others A Dragon of Modern Times-the Iguana the smaller lying sluggish and ones feeding . on worms and ins~cts, the · still. larger ones devouring mice, frogs, other · Here and there lizards, fish, birds, and, in fact, almost you would find a any animals they can overpower. sleek, slender, graceful creature, but most There are some important · varieties, of them would probably impress you as however, that prefer a vegetable diet, misshapen, horny, repulsive monsters, the . notably most of the larger members of dragons of modern times. But in spite the "iguana" family, some of which reach of their forbidding appearance, o_ nly two a length of six feet. . of 1,700 _ species are poisonous. Many Perhaps the most amazing peculiarity members of the tribe are not only harm- found in the lizard family is the ability less., but easily tamed and exhibit a good- which many of its members possess of THE YOUNG CITIZEN MARCH, 1941 The little Gecko ran walk 011 a ailing because he h11s disks 011 his feet. casting off fheir tails. When seized by a foe from behind, the tail breaks off at one of the joints of the back-bone. This does not seem to cause any inconvenience, for a new tail soon begins to grow. Another strange practice among certain large lizards, such as the frilled lizard of Australia anp a species in South America, is that of running swiftly and for great distances on their hind legs. When doing this· their front legs swing back and forth. The tail is used as a balance. The nearest thing to flying found among the lizards are the long sailing leaps from tree to tree by the small "flying-dragons" of the Malay countries. The ''wings" of these creatures are unlike any other animal organs, for they are formed by the outward extension of the ribs, which are connected by thin membranes of skin. When at rest, they lie close to the creature's sides, but when a leap is made, they spread out like fans. The frilled lizard gets its name from -rhe broad collar of loose skin it wears around its neck, which spreads out when the animal is frightened or angered. At the same time it opens its mouth and hisses terribly-all of which is pure bluff. Though most lizards are not poisonous and usually mind their own business, some of them are fierce fighters and biters when annoyed. Most lizards have no voice beyond an angry hissing; the gecko family is able to make a variety of cries. The geckos, which are found in the Philippines, are small creatures, very useful for the number of insects they destroy. 'Some have feet equipped with tiny pads or disks and hairs which enable them to climb up a pane of glass or walk on a smooth ceiling. A close relative of the lizard tribe, the tuatera of New Zealand, . is of immense interest· to scientists, because this curious creature is · the sole survivor of a group ·of roptiles otherwise extinct millions of years ago. The bodily structure of this "living fossil" has given science a key to the evolution of the whole reptile group. The group which it represents is thought to have been the parent stock of all lizards . . Lizards are "cold-blooded" creatures, like all reptiles. Some lay from one to 20 eggs, but others produce living young. Their skin is normally covered with scales, and from time to time they shed the thin, horny outside coating. (Please turn to page 116.) The Monitor Lizard One of the Largest Lizards II6 VERDI (Continued from page IOI} How was it first produced? 15. How many operas did Verdi write? 16. Have you ever heard a grand opera? 17. Haye you h e a r d songs from any of YerdPs operas·? 18. Tell of Verdi's character. . 19. Read this article again, and then answer these questions. WHERE THERE'S .A WILL (Continued from page 94) THE YOUNG CITIZEN DRAGONS (Continued from page I04} MAR.CH, 1941 MORO MARRIAGES (Continue from page 98} The family history of the charges a fee-usually five lizard is interesting because· pesos or more. If the groom of its many relationships is rich, he may have some with birds and mammals. ten panditas . to solemnize At about the same time the his marriage. lizards were · appearing, If either of the contractnature was also producing from the much the same type of primitive reptil~s, the first birds and the early mammals. ing parties lives near a river, gai.ly decorated launches with flags and streamers of many colors may be hired for the occa-. sion. On top of the launches REVIEW grotesq~e animal he ·ads I. How many species of sway in th~ air. Bands of lizards are there? musicians are always abo~rd 2. What can you say of the launches to furnish the the sizes of lizards? music. 3. Describe some spetested it and found. that it c1es .. Dur in g the marriage celebration fire-crackers are lighted, guns are fired, and men and women shout at the top of their voices. is true. WHERE THERE'S 4. Where are lizards A WILL, TI-JERE'S A WAY. found? SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT 1. Do you think J uanito was right when he said, "An education in the elementary school is good as far as it goes, but it's not enough"? Why do you think so? 2. Why do you think J uanito was determined to have an education? 3. Why was Juanito willing to shine shoes and be a h~:mseboy? Would you be willing to do that if necessary ·to get an . education? 5. What is the food of lizards? A Moro datu or kagui 6. What can you say of can have as many wives as the tail of some· species of he wishes, provided· he can lizards? pay the dowries· asked. ·An 7. How do some lizards ordinary Moro is limited to run? four wives. A Moro who· 8. Tell of the "flying" has many wives is con-: lizard. sidered rich. A Moro who 9. The frilled lizard. 10. How are some lizards useful? 11. Why is the family history of the lizard interesting to scientists? 12. How many different kinds of lizards have you seen in the Philippin~s? has many daughters will become rich, because of the dowries that are sure· to come for his daughters. · Such are some of the Moro marriage customscommon place to Moros, but Strange to Filipinos who are not accustomed to them.

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